Letter to Church Leaders in Eugene, Indiana, 2 July 1833

19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and 1,000 others; in 1838 about 2,000 Saints and 1,200 others; in 1839 about 100 Saints and 1,500 others. Mormon missionaries visited township...

Located in west central part of state, about three miles from Illinois border and about seventy miles west of Indianapolis. Population in 1840 about 1,000. Population in 1850 about 1,700. Included Eugene village; population in 1840 about 400. Branch of LDS...

1806–7 Dec. 1851. Laborer. Born in Indiana. Son of John Smith. Baptized into LDS church. Served mission to Ohio, Dec. 1831, 1832. Married first Elizabeth. Rebaptized into LDS church by William E. McLellin, 27 Aug. 1834, in Eugene, Vermillion Co., Indiana....

Located in west central part of state, about three miles from Illinois border and about seventy miles west of Indianapolis. Population in 1840 about 1,000. Population in 1850 about 1,700. Included Eugene village; population in 1840 about 400. Branch of LDS...

An ecclesiastical organization of church members in a particular locale. A branch was generally smaller than a stake or a conference. Branches were also referred to as churches, as in “the Church of Shalersville.” In general, a branch was led by a presiding...

The Book of Mormon related that when Christ set up his church in the Americas, “they which were baptized in the name of Jesus, were called the church of Christ.” The first name used to denote the church JS organized on 6 April 1830 was “the Church of Christ...

A male leader in the church generally; an ecclesiastical and priesthood office or one holding that office; a proselytizing missionary. The Book of Mormon explained that elders ordained priests and teachers and administered “the flesh and blood of Christ unto...

A meeting where ecclesiastical officers and other church members could conduct church business. The “Articles and Covenants” of the church directed the elders to hold conferences to perform “Church business.” The first of these conferences was held on 9 June...

to instruct one another and, when necessary, to deliver disciplinary measures to those in their congregation. John Smith arrived in Eugene no later than 15 December 1832, joining his son Eden, who had been a member of the branch since at least 3 November 1832.

Located in west central part of state, about three miles from Illinois border and about seventy miles west of Indianapolis. Population in 1840 about 1,000. Population in 1850 about 1,700. Included Eugene village; population in 1840 about 400. Branch of LDS...

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and 1,000 others; in 1838 about 2,000 Saints and 1,200 others; in 1839 about 100 Saints and 1,500 others. Mormon missionaries visited township...

1806–7 Dec. 1851. Laborer. Born in Indiana. Son of John Smith. Baptized into LDS church. Served mission to Ohio, Dec. 1831, 1832. Married first Elizabeth. Rebaptized into LDS church by William E. McLellin, 27 Aug. 1834, in Eugene, Vermillion Co., Indiana....

Power or authority of God. The priesthood was conferred through the laying on of hands upon adult male members of the church in good standing; no specialized training was required. Priesthood officers held responsibility for administering the sacrament of...

An ecclesiastical and priesthood office. JS appointed Edward Partridge as the first bishop in February 1831. Following this appointment, Partridge functioned as the local leader of the church in Missouri. Later revelations described a bishop’s duties as receiving...

wrote to John on 2 July, the same day the letter featured here was written, requiring him and Eden to repent or be disciplined. They declared that John had no priesthood authority and that Eden was “confederate” with John in committing the transgressions.

Both the office of the president of the high priesthood and the body comprising the president and his counselors; the presiding body of the church. In November 1831, a revelation directed the appointment of a president of the high priesthood. The individual...

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and 1,000 others; in 1838 about 2,000 Saints and 1,200 others; in 1839 about 100 Saints and 1,500 others. Mormon missionaries visited township...

A governing body comprising a bishop and his counselors. The bishop’s council was charged with overseeing the temporal affairs of the church, administering goods under the law of consecration, and assisting the poor. The bishop’s council had authority to ...

1806–7 Dec. 1851. Laborer. Born in Indiana. Son of John Smith. Baptized into LDS church. Served mission to Ohio, Dec. 1831, 1832. Married first Elizabeth. Rebaptized into LDS church by William E. McLellin, 27 Aug. 1834, in Eugene, Vermillion Co., Indiana....

Located in west central part of state, about three miles from Illinois border and about seventy miles west of Indianapolis. Population in 1840 about 1,000. Population in 1850 about 1,700. Included Eugene village; population in 1840 about 400. Branch of LDS...

elders held a council regarding the membership of the Smiths, and it is probable that the council was held in response to this letter. At the meeting, the president of the council read aloud a letter from

1806–7 Dec. 1851. Laborer. Born in Indiana. Son of John Smith. Baptized into LDS church. Served mission to Ohio, Dec. 1831, 1832. Married first Elizabeth. Rebaptized into LDS church by William E. McLellin, 27 Aug. 1834, in Eugene, Vermillion Co., Indiana....

, which may have been either Whitney’s postscript to the letter featured here or his earlier letter to Eugene regarding the Smiths. After the church voted to “cut off” John Smith, Eden appealed “to the

An ecclesiastical and priesthood office. Christ and many ancient prophets, including Abraham, were described as being high priests. The Book of Mormon used the term high priest to denote one appointed to lead the church. However, the Book of Mormon also discussed...

Branch records suggest, however, there were an insufficient number of high priests to hold a court in Eugene. The Eugene elders apparently forwent the appeal to the “high priest Court” and voted to cut off Eden as well. Eden was rebaptized on 27 August 1834 in Eugene by

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and 1,000 others; in 1838 about 2,000 Saints and 1,200 others; in 1839 about 100 Saints and 1,500 others. Mormon missionaries visited township...

1806–7 Dec. 1851. Laborer. Born in Indiana. Son of John Smith. Baptized into LDS church. Served mission to Ohio, Dec. 1831, 1832. Married first Elizabeth. Rebaptized into LDS church by William E. McLellin, 27 Aug. 1834, in Eugene, Vermillion Co., Indiana....

The Book of Mormon related that when Christ set up his church in the Americas, “they which were baptized in the name of Jesus, were called the church of Christ.” The first name used to denote the church JS organized on 6 April 1830 was “the Church of Christ...

, we do not hold them in fellowship we would inform you that John Smith has been dealt with and his authority taken from him and you are required not to receive his teachings but to treat him as a transgressor until he repents and humbles himself before the Lord

A meeting where ecclesiastical officers and other church members could conduct church business. The “Articles and Covenants” of the church directed the elders to hold conferences to perform “Church business.” The first of these conferences was held on 9 June...

1806–7 Dec. 1851. Laborer. Born in Indiana. Son of John Smith. Baptized into LDS church. Served mission to Ohio, Dec. 1831, 1832. Married first Elizabeth. Rebaptized into LDS church by William E. McLellin, 27 Aug. 1834, in Eugene, Vermillion Co., Indiana....

A male leader in the church generally; an ecclesiastical and priesthood office or one holding that office; a proselytizing missionary. The Book of Mormon explained that elders ordained priests and teachers and administered “the flesh and blood of Christ unto...

An ecclesiastical organization of church members in a particular locale. A branch was generally smaller than a stake or a conference. Branches were also referred to as churches, as in “the Church of Shalersville.” In general, a branch was led by a presiding...

According to branch records, the church leaders in Eugene dealt with a range of alleged misdeeds, which included intoxication, lying, cursing, and swearing. Examples of cases considered by the Eugene church leaders include the following: a man disguising his voice, taking a horse, and riding it to Springfield, Illinois, without permission; individuals arguing over ownership of a pig; and a woman “speaking aginst the Elders for she was in a bad spirit.” (Vermillion Branch, Conference Minutes, 10 and 17 Nov. 1832; 1 Jan. 1833; 14, 20, 23, and 27 Feb. 1833; 15 May 1833.)

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and 1,000 others; in 1838 about 2,000 Saints and 1,200 others; in 1839 about 100 Saints and 1,500 others. Mormon missionaries visited township...

1806–7 Dec. 1851. Laborer. Born in Indiana. Son of John Smith. Baptized into LDS church. Served mission to Ohio, Dec. 1831, 1832. Married first Elizabeth. Rebaptized into LDS church by William E. McLellin, 27 Aug. 1834, in Eugene, Vermillion Co., Indiana....

The Book of Mormon related that when Christ set up his church in the Americas, “they which were baptized in the name of Jesus, were called the church of Christ.” The first name used to denote the church JS organized on 6 April 1830 was “the Church of Christ...

, we do not hold them in fellowship we would inform you that John Smith has been dealt with and his authority taken from him and you are required not to receive his teachings but to treat him as a transgressor until he repents and humbles himself before the Lord

A meeting where ecclesiastical officers and other church members could conduct church business. The “Articles and Covenants” of the church directed the elders to hold conferences to perform “Church business.” The first of these conferences was held on 9 June...

1806–7 Dec. 1851. Laborer. Born in Indiana. Son of John Smith. Baptized into LDS church. Served mission to Ohio, Dec. 1831, 1832. Married first Elizabeth. Rebaptized into LDS church by William E. McLellin, 27 Aug. 1834, in Eugene, Vermillion Co., Indiana....

A male leader in the church generally; an ecclesiastical and priesthood office or one holding that office; a proselytizing missionary. The Book of Mormon explained that elders ordained priests and teachers and administered “the flesh and blood of Christ unto...

An ecclesiastical organization of church members in a particular locale. A branch was generally smaller than a stake or a conference. Branches were also referred to as churches, as in “the Church of Shalersville.” In general, a branch was led by a presiding...

According to branch records, the church leaders in Eugene dealt with a range of alleged misdeeds, which included intoxication, lying, cursing, and swearing. Examples of cases considered by the Eugene church leaders include the following: a man disguising his voice, taking a horse, and riding it to Springfield, Illinois, without permission; individuals arguing over ownership of a pig; and a woman “speaking aginst the Elders for she was in a bad spirit.” (Vermillion Branch, Conference Minutes, 10 and 17 Nov. 1832; 1 Jan. 1833; 14, 20, 23, and 27 Feb. 1833; 15 May 1833.)

According to branch records, the church leaders in Eugene dealt with a range of alleged misdeeds, which included intoxication, lying, cursing, and swearing. Examples of cases considered by the Eugene church leaders include the following: a man disguising his voice, taking a horse, and riding it to Springfield, Illinois, without permission; individuals arguing over ownership of a pig; and a woman “speaking aginst the Elders for she was in a bad spirit.” (Vermillion Branch, Conference Minutes, 10 and 17 Nov. 1832; 1 Jan. 1833; 14, 20, 23, and 27 Feb. 1833; 15 May 1833.)